I was searching for one thing on my laptop, and I came across this feedback from a SLU student in 2006…
Dear Dr. Chmiel,
I am writing you to finally submit my insertion. I apologize for not doing so earlier, but I had not decided yet what I was going to do. I talked to Jean Abbott today and received more detailed information on the project, so now I have something solid to present to you.
Also, while I am writing you, I want to take the chance to let you know that I have read parts of your [Book of Mev]. I received it in the mail the other day, and as I was just browsing through the pages, the beauty of her photos captured me. And a few hours later I found myself in tears as I read your words. You describe her in such ways that I can hear her laugh and see her personality as if I had known her myself. The way she was so strong in a situation where everyone expects you to be weak stuck with me for days. What I cannot forget is how she answered when she was asked: “Why is this happening to you?” and she said “Why NOT me?”. When something bad happens, So many of us ask ourselves why this is happening to US and get lost in the pity of ourselves. We feel like we do not deserve to suffer and are upset at God and the world for letting this happen to us. At the same time there are millions of people who know no other way of life but to suffer, whether it is from hunger or poverty or illness. And they deserve it no more than we do, but they do not ask, “Why me?” but rather “How can I come through this?” I am so taken by her and your courage and her devotion to you and her work.
On Eid (the day that marks the end of Ramadan) we make a special dish that is very sweet and smells very very sweet as well. There is a saying that if you open your windows on that day, the souls in heaven will be able to smell it. So I will open my windows for her.
Thank you for all that you have shared with us,
Edina
